Aku-Aku Eclipse

Easter Island

July 11th, 2010

Ahu Tahai

2010-07-09 00:17 UTC

Click images for enlargements.

This site, located on the edge of
Hanga Roa and visible from the
Anthropological Museum,
is usually referred to as “Ahu Tahai”,
but is actually home to three separate moai platforms. On the north
side is Ahu Ko Te Riku, a platform with this single moai, which not
only sports a topknot, but eyes believed similar to those used to decorate
other moai. (The eyes were believed made of sea shells or coral with obsidian for
the pupils.) The topknot on this moai is actually from a different
moai—this moai's topknot is now in the
Hanga Roa cemetery, serving
as a base for the central cross.

2010-07-10 18:50 UTC

In the middle of the area is another platform with a single moai
called Ahu Tahai, a name which confusingly is also used for the complex of
three platforms.

2010-07-10 18:51 UTC

2010-07-10 18:51 UTC

On the southern edge of the complex is the larger Ahu Vai Uri, with
five moai of assorted shapes and sizes. I'm sorry for the quality
of some of these pictures—it was raining on the only occasion
we were able to visit the site and it was impossible to avoid some
raindrops on the camera lens.

2010-07-10 18:57 UTC

2010-07-10 18:58 UTC

2010-07-10 18:59 UTC

2010-07-08 16:18 UTC

This view of Ahu Ko Te Riku was taken from the Anthropological Museum
in nicer weather.

2010-07-10 19:03 UTC

They say the eclipse is tomorrow. I'm a dog—I don't do tomorrow.
I'm wet. I hope it isn't wet for this eclipse they're all talking about.
And so wish we all!